Modesto Police Department News Release

Modesto Police Arrest Robbery Suspect with the Assistance of Neighboring Police Agency and Social Media

NEWS RELEASE

City of Modesto

Police Department

Office of the Chief of Police

Thursday, March 06, 2014

11:30 a.m. - For Immediate Release

Author: Ivan Valencia

Modesto Police Arrest Robbery Suspect with the Assistance of Neighboring Police Agency and Social Media

Modesto, CA - On Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at 8:49 a.m. Modesto Police officers were dispatched to investigate an armed robbery at the Subway located in the 800 block of Oakdale Rd. Surveillance video collected at the scene shows the suspect entering the business and brandishing a handgun at employees. The suspect stole money from the business and was last seen fleeing in a gray four door SUV vehicle.

The suspect was described as a white male adult, in his early twenties, wearing dark sunglasses, a gray jacket and dark colored “skinny jeans”.

At 9:20 a.m. officers were dispatched to investigate a second armed robbery at the Hair Repair located in the 900 block of Oakdale Rd. The suspect entered the business and appeared to have a gun under his jacket. He demanded money from the victim and then fled in a gray SUV. The victim got in her car and followed the suspect vehicle for a short distance. Surveillance video was obtained from a neighboring business and the suspect appeared to be the same subject who robbed the Subway a few minutes earlier.

At 12:53 p.m. officers were dispatched to another robbery at the Asian Massage. This third business was in the same shopping center as the Hair Repair. The suspect entered the business and brandished a handgun. He obtained an undisclosed amount of money and fled in a gray SUV. Surveillance video confirmed it was the same suspect from the two other robberies that occurred earlier.

A picture of the suspect was released using the Modesto Police Department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. Surveillance footage of the suspect and his vehicle were also shared with the Ripon Police Department. An alert Ripon Police officer viewed the images and recognized the suspect as Christopher Dial whom he contacted during a traffic stop in February of 2014. The officer remembered Dial because he found him to be in possession of realistic looking B.B. gun. The officer completed a report on his contact with Dial that included pictures of the suspect, his vehicle and the B.B. gun. The information was provided to Modesto Police detectives for follow up.

Family members and acquaintances of Dial viewed the picture released through social media and believed the suspect to be Christopher Dial. Detective Adam Messer was contacted and told Dial was at a relative’s residence in Stockton, CA. With the assistance of the Stockton Police Department Dial was taken into custody during a vehicle stop.

Police ask anyone who may have information regarding this incident to please call Crime Stoppers toll free at (209) 521-4636. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.Tipsters can also text information to Crime Stoppers by sending a text message to 274637. Just type “TIP704” along with your message.